How the H-2A program works

A plain-English look at the process, the timeline and what's expected of you as an employer, so you can decide if it's right for your farm.

Who qualifies

To use H-2A, the job generally has to meet three tests:

Agricultural work

Planting, cultivating, harvesting, packing, nursery and greenhouse work, operating farm equipment, and similar jobs.

Seasonal or temporary

The need has to be tied to a season or be temporary (generally less than a year). Year-round jobs, like most dairy and livestock work, usually don't qualify.

Not enough U.S. workers

You'll advertise the job to U.S. workers first. H-2A fills the gap when not enough local workers apply.

Step-by-step timeline

Counted back from the date you need workers on your farm (the "start date"). We track every deadline for you.

  1. 4–5 months before startFree consultation and planning. We confirm you qualify, set your start date and worker count, and walk through housing, transportation and wages.
  2. About 3 months before startPrepare the job order. We write the job description, pay, hours and housing details, and get them ready for the state workforce agency.
  3. 60–75 days before startSubmit the job order to your state. The state workforce agency posts the job and may inspect your worker housing.
  4. At least 45 days before startFile with the Department of Labor. We file the H-2A labor certification application and handle any follow-up requests from the agency.
  5. During reviewRecruit U.S. workers. You must offer the job to qualified U.S. workers who apply. We keep the paperwork organized.
  6. About 30 days before startUSCIS petition. Once the Department of Labor certifies your application, our partner immigration attorney files the petition with USCIS.
  7. Final weeksVisa appointments and travel. Workers attend consulate interviews and travel to your farm. We help coordinate arrival dates.
  8. During the seasonStay compliant. We send reminders for pay records, the three-fourths guarantee, transportation reimbursements and end-of-season steps.

What employers provide

These requirements are the biggest part of the program's cost, so plan for them from the start.

Required wage

Pay at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for your state, or the prevailing or minimum wage if higher. The same rate applies to U.S. workers doing the same job.

Free housing

Safe housing that meets inspection standards, at no cost to workers who can't reasonably return home each day.

Transportation

Free daily transportation between housing and the worksite, plus reimbursement of travel to and from the worker's home country under program rules.

Meals or kitchen

Either three meals a day or free, convenient cooking facilities.

Three-fourths guarantee

You guarantee pay for at least 75% of the work hours promised in the contract period.

Workers' compensation

Coverage for injuries on the job, at no cost to workers.

What it typically costs

Every farm is different, so we give you a written estimate during your free consultation. Your total usually includes:

Program costs

  • Government filing fees (Department of Labor and USCIS)
  • Worker visa and travel costs you reimburse
  • Housing (yours, or rented)
  • Daily transportation
  • Wages at the required rate

Our service fee

  • Flat fee, quoted up front, with no surprises
  • Filing-only and full-service options
  • Attorney fees for the USCIS step quoted separately
  • Repeat seasons cost less once your program is set up

Frequently asked questions

How many workers can I bring in?

There's no yearly cap on H-2A visas. You can request as many workers as your farm needs, based on the job and the housing you have.

Is H-2A worth it for a small farm?

Often, yes. Many of the farms we work with need fewer than 10 workers. The biggest benefit is a dependable crew that can return season after season.

Can I request the same workers every year?

Yes. Many employers bring back the same experienced workers each season, which saves training time.

How long can workers stay?

For the length of your certified season, which has to be temporary or seasonal (generally less than one year).

Do I need to own housing?

No. You can rent housing, such as apartments or a motel, as long as it meets the program's standards and costs the workers nothing.

What if I already use an agent or labor contractor?

We're happy to review your current setup. Some growers switch to running their own program to keep the same crew and gain more control.

What are the current H-2A wage rates?

Rates are set by state and by skill level. See current rates on our state pages: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey. Also note the pending court-ordered wage changes.

Are you lawyers?

No. We handle planning, the job order and the Department of Labor filing. The USCIS petition is handled by a licensed immigration attorney we work with.

Ready to plan your season?

Tell us your crop, start date and how many workers you need. We'll take it from there.

Get a free consultation